Volume 9, No. 1 Fall, 2001 John C. Cairns Editors Gerard J. Putz
Dr. Gerard Putz Receives National Award
Dr. Gerard J. Putz has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2001 Outstanding Science Supervisor Award. Dr. Putz is a Science Coordinator and Director of the Macomb Science, Math and Technology Center for the Macomb County in Michigan. Gerard was presented with the award on March 21, 2001, at a reception of the National Science Educators Leadership Association (NSELA) in St. Louis and was honored again at a luncheon at the same conference.
This award is given annually to the one science supervisor in our nation’s schools that has made significant contributions to the supervision of science education. The awards program is administered by the National Science Education Leadership Association and sponsored by the Prentice Hall publishing company. Dr. Putz and the Prentice Hall Representative
Begun in 1979 by NSELA, the awards program is to the students and teachers of Macomb County. He has designed to recognize an outstanding science supervisor demonstrated his vision of what science education each year. Dr. Putz received a plaque and a $1,000 should be – connecting the content and the process of check from Prentice Hall. Prentice Hall has sponsored what science education is to the real world. His the program since its inception. colleagues speak highly of him as a leader and a teacher.
Dr. Putz has made many contributions to science Gerard has published numerous articles and has made education at the local, state and national levels. His presentations at a variety of professional gatherings of service to science education has been long term and local, state, regional and national organizations. Dr. outstanding. His colleagues recognize him as a leader in Putz is the recipient of many awards locally and in the both science supervision and education. Gerard Putz state of Michigan. At the national level, Dr. Putz was was co-founder of the National Science Olympiad. awarded the Presidential Award from President George Through his efforts, hard work, and many positive Bush for the Science Olympiad. attributes, he has been a leader in the development of science curriculum and trained thousands of teachers. Putz Responds: Stay Out of the Trees
The exemplary nature of Dr. Putz’s contributions to I am delighted to receive this award and I want to thank science education is due to his integrity and commitment the NSELA Leadership, Prentice Hall and all the people in this room that I have been associated with. I am at the
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same time honored and humbled by this award. I am out the talent of others.” Early in my career, I honored because it is but a dream to be recognized learned that in order to be successful as a consultant by your peers and colleagues. I am humbled that you could not be “Jack of all Trades” and that to because I know all of the wonderful projects that all get the hundreds of things done that needed to be the wonderful people in this audience have accomplished you had to build capacity in others. accomplished that have far exceeded anything I feel You know that you have reached your goal when I have done. people begin to accuse you of doing nothing and that everyone else is doing all the work! I am proud of two major accomplishments: getting all 21 districts, 300 schools and 7000 educators in But I take all this too seriously. Sharon gave me this Macomb County on the same sheet of music by headline a few weeks ago while in Colorado Springs aligning their instructional bench marks, units and Also while listening to the Globe awards they assessments so we can plan effective integrated reminded of us of another proverb that stated, “The hands-on/minds-on professional development for the higher a monkey climbs in a tree, the more that he whole county. shows his butt! So my advice to you as supervisors and consultants is to help others find their hidden And I am especially proud of helping to create a talents but stay out of the trees!” passion for learning by co-founding the Science Olympiad Program that now serves thousands of United States Olympic Committee schools and millions of students throughout all of North America. The United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Of course I was able to make such contributions Science Olympiad has worked closely with the only because of much inspiration, help, USOC since the latter part of the 80’s. And we have encouragement and guidance from literally been in communication with that group for a number thousands of friends and colleagues like Jack Cairns, of years. The Science Olympiad has had their my partner and friend from Delaware, Sharon, my blessing for some years, but all that suddenly life partner, best friend and the wind beneath my changed last fall. The Michigan office of the tattered wings and from wonderful University Science Olympiad received a letter from the USOC leaders like Drs. Siegel and Dandapani and business asking us to desist from using the term Olympiad or leaders like Peggy Vavalla from DuPont. face the consequences.
After recovering from the mild shock, the officers of the Science Olympiad wrote back to the USOC indicating that we had the blessing of the USOC since the early part of our history! And further have had meetings with the education committee of the USOC and that the chair of that official USOC committee spoke at two of our national tournaments. We provided the lawyers of the USOC with some considerable correspondence between the United States Olympic Committee and the Science Olympiad. Like many large organizations, turnover at the top may mean loss of institutional memory thus the Science Olympiad asked the United States Olympic Committee to check their files for our correspondence. They had no record of those actions. Thus the national office copied the Movies: Run 1 and Run 2 correspondence and sent a newsletter article on the My basic educational philosophy is summed up by a subject to their lawyers. The case is now closed. But Chinese fortune cookie that says, “You tend to draw to avoid future issues the Science Olympiad to
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agreed to use the entire term, Science Olympiad and fifteen (15) member body about the Science not just the term Olympiad. Our Code of Conduct Olympiad and to present a formal proposal to the has been amended to reflect the concerns of the group. USOC. The reaction of the committee was very positive. The Code of Conduct now states, “No clothing, Cairns presented a proposal to work together on a flags, or other items displaying the old five hexagons project. The USOC Education Committee has an logo will be permitted at any Science Olympiad ongoing project to motivate academic learning in our event, tournament or ceremony”. This is to include elementary schools. The project distributes local, regional, invitational, state or national materials to schools on an Olympic theme to teach activities. Complete Code of Conduct is found math, reading, writing, science, and other basic elsewhere in this newsletter. The Science Olympiad skills. Cairns’ proposal suggested that the committee and the USOC article from August 1990 is also use one or two of our elementary activities next year. found below. It will take months to grind through the bureaucracy of the USOC before decision will be reached, but as Olympiad and the USOC Cairns said, “We have begun a historic process. Let us hope that it will end as positively as it has been During the past year Jack Cairns has been working received over the past few months.” closely with Dr. Wayne Osness, chairman of the United States Olympics Committee on Education in [Editors note, Madison West did in fact represent Wisconsin for several years at the national tournament in the late 80’s and early 90’s.] an attempt to get the two organizations to work closely together. According to Cairns, the USOC has its goal as striving for excellence on the athletic field whereas the Science Olympiad is striving in excellence in the academic science classrooms. “We are both pursuing the ideal, we have a natural common interest.”
Dr. Osness is a former chemistry teacher and football coach at Madison West High School in Madison, Wisconsin. Madison West has represented that state for the past several years at the National Tournament of the Olympiad. Dr. Osness has a Ph.D. in Chemistry and has taught at the college level in that area. Presently, Wayne is chairperson of the Sports Medicine Department at the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
Dr. Osness attended the national tournament in Clarion as the guest of the Olympiad and spoke at the opening ceremony about his desire, “To see us work together towards a common end.” In private conversation with Jack and Gerard Putz, Dr. Osness expressed his delight at the concept of the Science Movie: Pledge Olympiad and suggested a number of avenues for us Center for Disease Control to explore in our quest for recognition and mutual support. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a co-sponsor of the Science Olympiad and As a result of this dramatic meeting, Cairns was provides national supervisors for two events; the invited to a full USOC Education Committee Division C event, “Disease Detectives,” and the meeting in Atlanta for the purpose of educating the Division B event, “Science of Fitness.” In
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September 2000, CDC welcomed to its Atlanta WATER QUALITY headquarters two students from Yankton (South Dr. Bill Hall, Graduate College of Marine Science Dakota) High School. The two students received an University of Delaware award from CDC’s Director for winning the Disease Detectives event at the national competition held in Science is discovering the why, what and how of the Cheney, Washington, in May 2000 (see: natural world and developing hypotheses, theories, www.cdc.gov/excite/top2000). The students were and laws that formulate our understanding. Science accompanied by their Science Olympiad coach from is about change as our depth of knowledge doubles Yankton High School, and were joined by Dr. every 18 months or so. However, the more we learn Gerald Putz, President of the National Science about life on earth the more one fact appears to be a Olympiad, and Ms. Barbara Neureither, Chairperson constant - no water no life, at least as we currently of the Science Olympiad’s Biology Committee. understand life. Perhaps, that is the reason why the Together, the group was recognized by CDC’s Science Olympiad Board, state representatives and senior executive staff and also met with several coaches continue to support the Water Quality event epidemiologists (real-live “Disease Detectives”) and as water is the common denominator for life and other CDC public health scientists, including some quality of life on earth. of those involved in the investigation of the Nipah virus encephalitis outbreak, the focus of the 2000 Many might consider Water Quality as a model competition for Disease Detectives. event because it is one of the few Olympiad events that models how the sciences are truly integrated. For the second year, the winners of Disease Detectives Water clearly has physical and their coach will visit CDC and chemical properties headquarters in Atlanta, like freezing point and courtesy of CDC, to receive an polarity that contributes to award from the CDC Director, its other name, the meet with epidemiologists, and universal solvent. The to discuss the topic of this impact of water on geology year’s national problem, and atmospheric sciences potential health hazards are easily demonstrated associated with use of cellular through groundwater and telephones. The 2001 national the water cycle. Life began Disease Detectives event in in water and continues in Colorado Springs was won by water as the vast majority two students from Troy High of the world’s plants and School in California. As noted animals live in fresh or salt Movies: Interview and Competition by CDC's Dr. Paul Garbe, a water and no organism can veterinarian and epidemiologist who recognized the live with out water. In fact, year after year the rules winners during the award ceremony in Colorado committee continues with an ongoing struggle of Springs, “The level of sophistication in the work inclusion for Water Quality, as the event is so broad, done today during the event by all the medalists is encompassing many sciences, technologies, and remarkable, and on par with graduate students in quality of life issues. schools of public health.” The medalists’ achievements exemplifies the close relation between In fact, this broadness and depth of knowledge the study of science and math, and to applications of needed by students for water quality has always been science through careers in public health – especially a concern to a few coaches because as coaches, they in ensuring a healthy population through safe need to give their students what they believe is the communities and healthy environment. best opportunity to win. Of course, in theory that would be broad rules but with restricted content. The reality is that the broadness of the event serves the student well in that the competition is more open
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and grading is less restrictive, thus giving more and particularly exotic flora and fauna as these teams the opportunity to bring home the gold. species are changing aquatic ecosystems across our country. These alien invaders are taking over entire As all coaches know the event currently consists of drainage systems, costing all millions in economic three parts: (1) multiple choice/short answer; (2) loses and will change ecosystems as we know them. macroinvertebrate/biotic indicator; and (3) water Our budding scientists need some understanding of monitoring/analysis. The multiple-choice section yet another facet of global change - exotic invasive requires a broad knowledge of the water sciences, species. quality of life issues and water treatment. Because of the need for a rigorous test, one that measures true Our last section, Water Monitoring and Analysis, understanding, and a test that grades all teams fairly, offers students yet a second opportunity to the test at the national level typically includes demonstrate hands-on, practical application of their multiple answers in many questions, all of which knowledge of testing for water quality. Oxygen like
temperatures are obvious tests, however, it is impossible to guarantee their stability. This is true of several other tests as well, so the reality is that there are but a limited number of parameters you can test for in a staged situation. That said, this section challenges students as it is an unknown quantity and all have an equal opportunity to score points towards the gold. Many times this section is used for a second round of tie-breakers if the competition is close and they tied in the first round tie-breakers.
Some may look at Water Quality as a “tough” event because it is an integrated event requiring not only academic knowledge of science and technology but also the ability to do the associated practical hands- on of real world science. Don’t think of Water Quality as a “tough” event, but rather as a model Movies: Competition and Competition event, where all the skills needed to be a working count equally. This approach comes from years of scientist are both needed and applied. We all hear event supervision and has been found to be an and use the clichés, “The next frontier; the last effective method of making the scoring process more objective and less subjective. This combined with the associated tie-breakers makes for a section that is a true measure of the students knowledge of water.
The macroinvertebrate section gives credence to the event name, as many animals are indicative of the quality of the body of water. However, the variety of species also indicates water quality so there are reasons to include more species than just those that are currently utilized as biotic indicators. Those macroinvertebrates currently used may change as we learn more about habitats and it serves students as they see a larger picture of the ecosystem and the relationships between the maroinvertebrates. Additionally, there is a need to add aquatic plants Movie: Competition
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frontier”; or whatever, the reality is that water holds Kathy Melvin DE our destiny, always has and always will. Name a Bill Hall DE civilization that did not originate around a water Penney Hall source. Better yet name some that have died when the water was gone. Do the names Mayan, Anasazi, 2000 Ervin Zimmerman MI or Sumerians mean anything to you? Do you think Carolyn Zimmerman we need more water scientists? Philip Dail NC
Distinguished Service Awards 2001 Mark Van Hecke MI
The Distinguished Service Awards were established Contributions of these honorees will be found in the during the early history of the Science Olympiad to next few newsletters. honor those that had given an extra measure of time, Erv & Carolyn Zimmerman energy, and talent to the organization. Their peers recognized event supervisors, state and regional This all started when our oldest daughter, Amanda, directors, and others who have made significant came home from her first Science Olympiad meeting contributions to the Science Olympiad and its goals in the 6th grade (1987) with a note requesting Over the years we have continued the practice of volunteers to help with the team. Just as most recognition of these persons, but we have not written parents, we promptly threw the note away and forgot about them in the newsletter. Beginning with this about it. A couple of weeks later she brought home edition, the editors will begin to give you short another note thanking us for volunteering to help biographies of the honorees. To set the record with the astrolabe for “Reach for the Stars”, so we straight, since 1997 the following individuals have went to the next meeting to find out what it was all been so honored at ceremonies at the National about. We were soon spending most of our free time Tournament. Each received a plaque and the thanks researching background information for several of the Science Olympiad Board of Directors. Those events at every library we could find within a 20 honored were: mile radius.
1997 Charles Hoyt AZ We complained one too many times that the Vicky Boyd DE elementary school, where our youngest daughter Lynn Dewey MI Keri attended, did not have a team and found ourselves organizing and coaching the team there. 1998 Harold Miller NY Working with those kids and seeing the excitement Allan Jacobs MI in their eyes with each new discovery was one of our Tim Taylor OH most rewarding experiences.
1999 Barbara Neureither MI In 1990 the middle school team’s students and coaches, except for our daughter, Allison, were transferred when the district opened another school. We were “elected” to carry the torch, by default. From that time forward things just seemed to “happen” and we found ourselves involved more and more. Science Olympiad has been a wonderful experience for us, and our three daughters.
Editors note:
Erv and Carolyn Zimmerman have an outstanding list of Olympiad accomplishments. Since 1989 they have been event supervisors for four different elementary Olympiad events, coaches at their
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elementary schools and have been, and currently are University of Delaware. Penny has a Bachelors on the Elementary Board. degree from the same institution and a Masters degree from Delaware State University. They have coached middle school teams for several years and were event supervisors for six different Bill is avid sportsman. He has hunted successfully middle school/high school events. They have also in all over the United States and Canada. Bill and held offices on the Michigan State Science Penney recently returned from a safari in Southern Olympiad Board for nearly ten years. They have Africa. Both Bill and Penney have been Delaware both served as national event supervisors, co-chaired and national event supervisors for over 20 years. the Technology Committee, and have assisted the Penny is past president of Delta Kappa Gamma and entire organization by acting as webmasters for the Bill is the outgoing president of the Delaware National Science Olympiad web page. Teachers of Science. Both Erv and Carolyn have worked for the Michigan and National Boards since 1972. And they are nice They have two sons, Will, a student at Delaware people! Technical and Community College and Wyatt, a senior at Sussex Central High School. Wyatt has the dubious distinction of having to decide to take a soccer scholarship or one in wrestling!
Becky Litherland
Dr. Litherland’s education is all from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She has been a teacher of mathematics, reading and life science at several schools as well as department chair of science at Oakland Junior High School in Columbia. She was the Outstanding Junior High Science Educator in the Columbia public schools in 1983. Becky is adjunct to her alma mater as well as Columbia College in the same community.
Movie: Competition Dr. Becky Litherland has written for and been successful at procuring a number of competitive Bill and Penney Hall grants during the past few years to assist her district with improving problem solving in the physical The Science Olympiad has had a number of husband sciences and promoting women to study the same and wife teams that have been honored with the sciences. Dr. Litherland has been president of the Distinguished Service Awards. Dr. Bill and Penney Missouri Science Teachers and the National Science Hall are two of our most recent. Education Leadership Association.
Bill is on the staff of the Graduate College of Marine Studies of the University of Delaware and a nationally recognized expert on the Delaware River/Bay watershed particularly with respect to the horseshoe crab populations and the migrating bird species that feed on their eggs. Penney is a seventh grade life science teacher and department chair in the Indian River School District. Bill has a Bachelors degree from Bloomsburg State University (PA), a Masters degree from University of the Movie: Competition and Competition Pacific (CA) and a terminal degree from the
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Becky has been the co-director of the Missouri State system and during that time was the convention Science Olympiad for 10 plus years and has chair for STANYS (Science Teacher Affiliate of the supervised at regional, state, and national State of New York) for 27 years. If you were tournaments. Weather or Not, Earth Science Lab, involved in science education in that state, you Dynamic Planet, and Experimental Design are but a would have to know Harold! If you ever spoke at few of the competitions that Becky Litherland has the New York science teacher’s convention, you supervised. Becky has also chaired the Earth Science have to know Harold. In addition he was liaison to committee following the national tournament. NSTA for 15 years and was able to attend every national convention of that body for many, many Dr. Becky Litherland has also started a Missouri years. Science Olympiad Coaching Clinic and will be celebrating its third anniversary this fall. In addition to these accomplishments, Harold is Congratulations to Becky Litherland! State Director of the Olympiad and has been so for 10+ years. He has also served as event supervisor at Mark A. Van Hecke the state and national level in Wright Stuff, Metric Estimation and Practical Data Gathering. Mr. Miller Mark Van Hecke first began his work in Science also developed the model for score counseling for Olympiad in 1985 as a the national tournament. middle school science teacher and coach in Harold has made it a priority to attend one summer Macomb County training seminar each summer to learn first hand Michigan. He began the” ins and outs” of the rules of the Olympiad. “He supervising the Road has worked tirelessly on behalf of the children of Scholars event at the New York and the teachers from the same state and Macomb County is most deserving of the honor.” said Dr. Gerard Regional in 1992, and Putz in presenting Harold’s plaque. is now the Michigan Region 7 Tournament Barbara Neureither Director, which includes Macomb and Mrs. Barbara Neureither taught biology at Holt High St. Clair counties. School in suburban East Lansing, Michigan for 29 years. While teaching at that school, Barb was the Mark also supervised Science Olympiad coach for 12 years. She and her the event “What are team were featured on the Peter Graves’ videotape You Trying to Tell Me?” in the Michigan State filmed prior to the national tournament at the Tournament in 1995. He also supervised the event at University of Colorado in 1990. (You can still see the National level from 1996-1998, and has also Barb and her team on the Discovery channel at supervised Road Scholars at the National various times in the middle of the night.) Tournaments in 1999 and 2000. Mrs. Neureither was then kicked upstairs for a one- He is presently developing the new Earth Science year term as State Director of the Olympiad event “From a Distance”. He is also a certified organization in Michigan. She has been on the State Microsoft Office User Specialist, and a candidate for board for that organization for 14 years and this year National Board for Professional Teaching Standards is completing here second term of 5 years as State certification in 2003. Director. Michigan, as you know, is one of our largest states and Barbara coordinates the efforts of Harold Miller 300 middle school teams, 300 high school teams in 16 regional and one state tournament. Harold Miller is “Mister Science Education” in the State of New York. Mr. Miller taught for 34 for In her spare time Barb has been national co- years on Long Island in the Central Islep school supervisor of Cell Biology for 3 years, national
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supervisor for Designer Genes for 4 years. She has Supervisor for the Delaware Science Olympiad as also chaired the Biology Rules committee for 6 well. years. Recently Barb left Holt High School and has taken on new responsibilities at Michigan State Kathy has several publications including co-author University where she holds a joint appointment in of over 20 computer/probe inquiry activates for the the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Education. Delaware Department of Education. Kathy has been awarded numerous of awards. Kathy was District Barbara Neureither was an outstanding high school Teacher of the Year for the Polytech School District science teacher and coach and I know that she will and Appoquinimink District. She is a winner of the do the same kind of job for MSU. Barb will Presidential Award for Excellence in Secondary continue in her role as State Director and will help Science Teaching and Delaware Biology Teacher of with the coordination of the State tournament in the Year. Michigan. In her spare time, Kathy enjoys playing her bassoon Kathy Melvin in the Dover Symphony, Mid-Atlantic Symphony and the Papillons Woodwind Quintet. With a bachelors degree in Education and Biology from the Vicky Boyd University of Delaware, Born in Eastern Suffolk County, New York, Victoria Kathleen Boyd was Melvin went born into a on to earn her well-known masters degree family. Her in General father, Science at Charles was Shippensburg elected State several times University in as sheriff 1978. Kathy and town has held supervisor. several Movies: Interview and Interview positions on She received the East Coast. She taught biology and life science a bachelor’s at Middletown High School and New Oxford degree in Junior/Senior High those respective communities. Science Education at the Cornell University. She She teaches methods classes at Delaware State then attended the State University of New York at University. Stonybrook to earn her Masters degree in Liberal Kathy is presently working as an Studies. After being certified, Education Specialist at the Vicky went on to teach at the Delaware Department of South Dorchester Education. Professional Junior/Senior High School in Leadership is one of her strong Church Creek, Maryland for points. She has served as the two years before going to Event Supervisor and Rules Lake Forest High School (DE) Committee for the National where she taught Physical Science Olympiad since 1985. Science and Biology for 24 She was the State Director, years. She recently moved to Workshop Presenter and Event Dover to work for the
Movie: Competition
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Delaware State Education Association (DSEA). will benefit from our vast resources and expertise while enjoying their time at one of the most While at Lake Forest, she coached the Science beautiful college campuses on the East Coast. Read Olympiad Team. She was an Olympiad official at on for some of the many reasons why we believe the the State Tournament for 16 years helping to run the best science students from around the globe choose Science Bowl, Pentathlon, and Cantilever over the UD for their futures. years. She also officiated at the National Science Olympiad from 1986-2001. To drive us into the 21st century and beyond, a strong science education is necessary. Many top Besides being involved with the Science Olympiad, students select us for our commitment to academic Vicky was very active in her professional group, excellence, with undergraduates composing 80% of serving as president of the Lake Forest Education our population. It is here that they find smaller Association. She became the State Treasurer from classes, faculty members who teach as well as 1990-1992 as well as 1996-2000. perform world-class research, and technologically- advanced facilities (Yahoo! consistently ranks us in Vicky has two daughters Courtney, 16 and Jessica, their top 10 -- #2 in 2000 -- of “Most Wired 20. Colleges”). Our brightest students choose the University Honors Program as a community within our community, in which their intellectual curiosity can be even more fully challenged.
Many of our young scholars make their mark in the University’s Undergraduate Research Program, working alongside award-winning faculty. At the University of Delaware, biology, chemistry, computing, geology, and engineering, cross traditional academic boundaries to create unlimited discoveries in our own lifetimes. A signature of the vigor of research at UD is the doubling of our annual research expenditures in engineering to nearly $25 million. Movies: Awards and Awards U of D Hosts National Science Olympiad Our commitment to science and the education of future scientists remains strong. From the recently The University of Delaware is proud to host the created Delaware Biotechnology Institute to the National Science Olympiad in 2002. We believe finishing touches of DuPont Hall that our cutting-edge facilities combined with fine on the mall (opening just in time for the National faculty and volunteers from the Delaware science Science Olympiad), we continue to provide the most community and DuPont Corporation will make this technologically sophisticated facilities and the best Olympiad yet! Science can be found in outstanding resources. Our academic programs are many of our 124+ majors and our six undergraduate nationally recognized, with chemical engineering colleges – Arts & Science; Agriculture & Natural consistently appearing in the top 10 of numerous Resources; Business & Economics; Engineering; lists. Perhaps the highest compliment is paid in the Health & Nursing Sciences; and Human Services, swiftness with which our students are hired by the Education & Public Policy – as well as our graduate nation’s leading companies. “Delaware” – both the College of Marine Studies. This year’s participants University and the state – has a strong legacy of science and engineering with industry leaders such
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as DuPont, W.L. Gore & Associates, Chrysler, all the graduate students and upperclassmen that AstraZeneca, and General Motors having notable were interviewing but wanted to try. He won the influence here. Our students, as well as our fellowship and was told that it was because of the graduates, benefit from such excellent relationships. Science Olympiad! Another student is receiving a We look forward to seeing you at the National research scholarship along with reduced tuition, etc. Science Olympiad on May 17-18, which covers all costs of her schooling at Cornell 2002. In preparation for this University (in excess of $3,000/yr.). The third event, we will host an Invitational student is receiving a research scholarship of on January 25-26, 2002. We hope $15,000 plus another $5,000 academic scholarship to see you there! For more details to the University of Rochester, and so it goes. on the Science Olympiads, visit Thank you, Patty Sherman. online at www.udel.edu/scienceolympiad. Science Olympiad Fever Additional information about the Patty Sherman, Goshin, New York University of Delaware may also be found online at www.udel.edu. Sixteen years ago, two very ambitious science teachers decided to create a competition meant to increase interest in science and replace typical Letter to the Editor science fairs. What they started was the beginning of a monster that can take over the lives of all that Editor: are involved. They call it the Science Olympiad, but it is known better as Science Olympiad Fever* and Excuse this lovely writing paper, but it is all there is no known cure. I could find on my desk. I saw the surface of my Students begin to work nonstop building desk one day about a week ago — then we became unbelievably complex machines that are capable of Junior Division State Champs and little more than moving a I don’t expect to see it or much of few marbles a few inches or the rest of my counters for at least launching a nerf ball and 3 weeks. Once again, it was a driving anyone who totally unexpected victory, which becomes involved belongs almost solely to the kids. incredibly mad. Or, they My senior team is the best and begin building airplanes like worked tirelessly preparing my automatons; spending hours little guys. I’m bringing 32 of analyzing the flight, the tilt, them — I had to fight and I and the placement of the haven’t slept much for weeks, but wing, the balance of the 32 of more than 60 original team propeller, and the number of members are coming. winds of the rubber motor until perfection has been This letter isn’t just to brag about reached. Other students my kids, it is to thank you again have been known to sit for for the original idea and your hours studying birds, rocks, continued efforts to make it a the circulatory system, the success. It has made such a elements, weather, animal difference in the lives of some of tracks, and animal anatomy. my students. Until recently I Some students have been wasn’t sure — I knew, but I had spotted chasing down cars Movies: Measure Plane, Flight & Interview nothing tangible. One young man is to obtain tire patterns, now a sophomore at George Washington University. fingerprinting everyone in sight, sitting for hours He decided to interview for a fellowship at NASA as analyzing the chemical composition of substances or a freshman. He figured that he had no chance with designing the perfect experiment, or answering
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endless questions about maps, maps, and more maps.
Yes, it’s a fever, but a fever that leaves you feeling good. The fever-pitch reached just before competition puts students on a level they have never reached before—it’s approaching perfection, but far enough away to make perfection appear intangible. They know they have reached a level of excellence they have never forced themselves to achieve before and which they may never achieve again. They share this feeling with at least fourteen other students, the other members of the competitive team, and their student and adult coaches. There is a familiarity they share with these other people that they have never had the opportunity to share before. They are more than a team-yet they are all Movies: Competition, Interview & Interview individuals. It is a thrill to observe and to be a part of Science Olympiad. The words can make you shake with the fear of commitment that must be made to make it work and tremble with the anticipation of what is to come, but it can also elicit such warmth, satisfaction, and excitement that the fear is smothered and the anticipation is kindled by the fever that begins to build into a fire that burns within.
Movies: Observers, Competition & Competition
Movie: Competition and Competition
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Movies: Competition & Competition
Science Olympiad Code of Conduct
The Science Olympiad established a “Code of Conduct” for student competitors many years ago. Many States have adopted/adapted this code as their own. Others rely upon a loose set of regulations set up by the state or regional boards.
Any code is generally set up to make the situation fair. This is certainly the case with the Science Olympiad Code of Conduct. The organization wants fairness, no we demand fairness. Fairness for student competitors, fairness for judges, fairness for event supervisors, fairness for coaches and teachers as well as fairness for parents.
Our Code of Conduct is a set of simple regulations that “levels the playing field” between students and competing teams. It is very difficult, for example, to define every infraction of any rule or parameter of the Science Olympiad regulations. Can a student use some new (or old) technology to enhance their score on a test? Yes, it the rules specifically allow it, but no if the student uses that technology to gain information concerning the event from outside sources that are not sanctioned. Can a student competitor “phone a friend”? No! No! No! Can a student use a palm pilot, computer, calculator, or other unauthorized device to gain an edge during a Science Olympiad event? No! Simply, can a student cheat? The answer is NO!
The examples stated above are outside the “spirit or the intent” of the rules. The Science Olympiad forbids cheating!
As noted in another article in this newsletter, there are a few other legal matters and/or elements of civility that make up the entire Code.
In compliance with our agreement with the USOC, no clothing, flags, or other items may display our original logo of five (5)-interlocking hexagons. The reasons are obvious; we may be treading upon the
Page 14 – Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NEWSLETTER
copyright of the USOC. The use of another’s copyrighted logo is illegal. If your team has any of these items, please put them away or better yet get rid of them. Do not under any circumstance bring them to any regional, state, or national tournament or ceremony.
Items of civility include:
1. Use of inappropriate language, conduct, or dress. 2. Students at Science Olympiad may sell no items sponsored “swap meets”. Swap meets are for swapping and trading items that represent your school, town, or State. It is not an opportunity for young businesspersons to begin their careers. 3. No inflatable items of any kind may be displayed at any tournament, swap meet, opening or closing Science Olympiad ceremony(s)
The items of civility are just that. The Science Olympiad done not condone the use of profanity in any form and inappropriate language either oral or written will not be tolerated.
Summer Science Olympiad Seminars
For nearly twenty years the Science Olympiad has been holding summer training for teachers, administrators, and interested parents. Seminars have been held all over the United States in such locals as California (Asilomar Conference Center & Stockton), Arizona (Hilton Conference Center at Tapitio Cliffs), Colorado (The Nature Place), Michigan (Leelanau School), Pennsylvania (Lake Wallenpaupack, Johnstown, & PEEC), New York (Nevele Catskills Resort), Delaware (Lewes and Rehoboth Beach).
The programs center upon learning about new events and strategies to assist coaches with some of the mature events. Conferences run from three to five days and frequently feature classes taught by the national event supervisors.
Comments from teachers and coaches at recent workshops include:
“I had no idea that I would learn so much.”
“Great conference, please do it again in New York next year.”
“I’ve attended two of these seminars and they continue to be the best staff development that I get.”
“Mike Kobe can really help you if you’re interested in learning more about the building events.”
“These sessions had excellent, immediately useable ideas for me to use in the classroom as well as for helping me organize and train the Olympiad team.”
“This seminar was overflowing with practical information that I can use in my classroom.”
“Patty Sherman must be an excellent teacher. She helped me understand the music event and I’m tone deaf”.
“Linder (Winter of CO) really knows his astronomy!”
Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NEWSLETTER – Page 13
Evaluations of the sessions are always outstanding. These comments are a fair cross-section of the data we have been getting since the beginning of these projects.
If you haven’t attended in the past, consider doing so. We have two currently organized for next summer in California and Michigan. Others may also be considered! Contact the editors if you are interested in an Olympiad seminar in your town.
Movie: Competition
Page 18 – Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
SECONDARY SCIENCE OLYMPIAD SUMMER INSTITUTES LEELANAU ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, GLEN ARBOR, MI JULY 8-13, 2002 ASILOMAR CONF. CENTER, MONTEREY, CA JULY 20-24, 2002 Or, get together 24 coaches and we will customize an institute for your area! (need 6 months notice)
Educators are eligible to use Eisenhower funds to attend Science Olympiad Summer Institutes designed for Teachers, Coaches, Supervisors and Administrators grades 6-12. Classes will cover events such as Bridge Building, Road Scholar, Experimental Design, Physical Sci. Lab, Scrambler, Bottle Rocket, Rocks & Minerals, Crime Busters, Chem. Lab, Mission Possible, Wright Stuff, Water Quality, Dynamic Planet and more plus New Events for 2002. Also learn how to build a team and gain support for your science program. Registration fee includes all instruction, rules manuals, changes for next year, classroom materials and activities that will help you meet your state's core curriculum science benchmarks and standards. Commuters must pay a facility and meals fee, which is included in the housing fee. Many Science Olympiad coaches at State & National finals attribute their success to concepts learned at the SO Summer Institutes. Over 95% rate the institutes as good or excellent and say that their batteries are recharged, that they learn so much and are glad to be with other educators that are passionate about learning science!
The Leelanau Environmental School, Michigan is located in the famous resort area of Traverse City along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park nestled among the hills of northern Michigan with dorms a short walk away from the sandy shoreline of Lake Michigan. The grounds include tennis courts, astronomical observatory and canoeing on the Crystal River. Housing is in single or double occupancy dorm rooms (2 twin beds) that share a bath. Linens and towels are provided. Meals are served cafeteria style from dinner on Monday to lunch on Saturday. Leisure activities may include field trips for Petosky Stone fossils, dunes ecology and beach volleyball.
The Asilomar Conference Center, California is situated on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula overlooking the Pacific Ocean, occupying 105 secluded acres of forest and dunes near Monterey and Carmel. Housing is in double occupancy motel style rooms with private baths. Bed and bath linens are provided. All meals are served semi-cafeteria style in Crocker Dining Hall. Facilities include swimming pool, recreation hall and forested pathways through the grounds and boardwalks along the dunes to the ocean. A $200 deposit will hold a place at the Institute of your choice. ------REGISTRATION FORM DRAFT SUBJECT TO CHANGE (Register early as space is limited!) NAME ______M/F___ SCHOOL ______DIV _____ HOME ADDRESS ______CITY ______ST. _____ ZIP ______SCHOOL PHONE ______/______/______HOME PHONE ______/______/______
REGISTRATION FOR COURSE: $320 $320 MI HOUSING: Fee covers room, all meals, breaks and facility use. __ LEELANAU: DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (per person) $345 ______(6 Days/5 Nights) SINGLE OCCUPANCY $420 ______COMMUTER** $190 ______
CA HOUSING: Fee covers room, all meals, breaks and facility use. __ ASILOMAR: DOUBLE OCCUPANCY (per person) $375 ______(5 Days/4 Nights) SINGLE $585 ______COMMUTER** $200 ______**Commuter fee for off-site occupancy is not optional and covers facilities/equipment use and meals as noted. TOTAL______
DEPOSIT (due with registration & non-refundable 30 days before institute) - 200.00 TOTAL DUE 30 DAYS BEFORE INSTITUTE ______($25 Bank fee for returned checks)
Return Form to: Science Olympiad Phone: 248-651-4013 5955 Little Pine Lane Fax: 248-651-7835 Rochester, MI 48306
Page 16 – Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NEWSLETTER
2001 National Science Olympiad Division B Top Ten
1 Booth Middle School, GA 2 Parrott Academy, NC 3 Thomas Jefferson Middle School, IN 4 Magsig Middle School, OH 5 Jenison Jr. High School, MI 6 Piqua Junior High School, OH 7 Arthur W. Coolidge Middle School, MA 8 South Middle School, IL 9 Bearden Middle School, TN 10 Maine-Endwell Middle School, NY
Page 18 – Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
2001 National Science Olympiad Division C Top Ten
1 Harriton High School, PA 2 Troy High School, CA 3 Centerville High School, OH 4 Fayetteville-Manlius High School, NY 5 Oak Park High School, IL 6 McIntosh High School, GA 7 Solon High School, OH 8 Maine-Endwell High School, NY 9 Grand Haven High School, MI 10 State College High School, PA
Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NEWSLETTER – Page 19
ATTENTION! TEACHING GUIDES, STUDENT MANUALS AND SAMPLE TEST PACKET
If you haven't ordered yet, you should do it soon! All school districts are eligible to use Eisenhower funds to purchase instructional materials that are used for professional development or to attend Science Olympiad Summer Institutes (see SOSI info in this manual). Although teams have improved their placement at state and national tournaments, not all teams can attend a Summer Institutes, so coaches like you have created an alternative-the Science Olympiad Teaching Guides:
1. ROAD SCHOLARS will systematically guide your understanding of USGS Topographic and U.S. Highway maps. Includes most knowledge and skills required for mastery of the Road Scholar Event and one USGS Topographic map, one Highway map, plus copies of both a state and a National Road Rally test. This revised edition also includes lessons on the American Legal Land Survey and the proper use of azimuths and bearings. $20.00
2. SCIENCE CRIME BUSTERS, GET YOUR BEARING/COMPASS AND REACH FOR THE STARS introduce a systematic approach to solving crimes through active laboratory investigation. which may be used for either small or large group instruction. Skills include identifying mystery powders and substances, separating inks through chromatography, and matching fingerprints. This revised edition also includes a sample practice test. Reduced -$12.00
3. AUDUBON ROCK & MINERAL GUIDE An excellent guide to R&M characteristics and identification. $15.00
4. LIFE-PROCESS LAB includes lessons to help you master this event. Revised for 2002 $16.00
5. BOTTLE ROCKET includes lesson plans and diagrams to guide you in preparing the bottle rocket with fins and parachute, help building a launcher and data collection procedures. $16.00
6. SCIENCE OLYMPIAD SAMPLE TEST PACKETS from various regional, state & national tournaments includes questions and answers from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Earth, Life and Physical Sciences. New2002 $18.00
7. AUDUBON AMPHIBIAN & REPTILES An excellent guide to A&R characteristics and identification. $15.00
8. AUDUBON NIGHT SKY An excellent guide to constellations characteristics and identification. $15.00
9. AUDUBON EASTERN BIRDS An excellent guide to bird characteristics and identification. $15.00
10. AUDUBON WESTERN BIRD An excellent guide to bird characteristics and identification. $15.00
11. AUDUBON WEATHER (METEOROLOGY) An excellent guide to meteorology. $15.00
12. ROCK, MINERAL & FOSSIL GUIDE: a good introduction to rock and mineral identification with lessons and flow charts to help understand the properties of sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks and minerals. $20.00
13. WRIGHT STUFF(former Propeller Propulsion): Lessons include tips on adjustments for maximum flight time such as how to trim the propeller, when and how to adjust the trim tabs, tips for ROG and an excellent trouble shooting chart. $16.00
14. FROM-A-DISTANCE: includes hands-on activities related to remote sensing images, sources of aerial photographs and uses of remote sensing imagery as well as a sample tournament test. New2002 $15.00
Page 18 – Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
ORDER FORM
NAME______SCHOOL______
ADDRESS______CITY/STATE/ZIP______
$ x # = $ AUDUBON AMPHIBIAN & REPTILES GUIDE $15 x _____ = $______AUDUBON NIGHT SKY GUIDE $15 x _____ = $______AUDUBON EASTERN BIRD GUIDE $15 x _____ = $______AUDUBON WESTERN BIRD GUIDE $15 x _____ = $______AUDUBON WEATHER GUIDE $15 x _____ = $______AUDUBON ROCK & MINERAL GUIDE $15 x _____ = $______FROM-A-DISTANCE (NEW-2002) $15 x_____ =$______ROAD SCHOLAR (REVISED-99 ED) $20 x _____ = $______ROCK, MINERAL & FOSSIL GUIDE (94) $20 x _____ = $______SCIENCE CRIME BUSTERS (REV-94) -Reduced $12 x _____ = $______LIFE SCIENCE PROCESS LAB (REV 2002) $16 x _____ = $______BOTTLE ROCKET (97 ED) $16 x _____ = $______WRIGHT STUFF (98 ED) $16 x _____ = $______SAMPLE TEST PACKET - 2002 ED (ALL NEW!) $18 x _____ = $______Div. B [ ] Div. C [ ] SAMPLE TEST PACKET - 2001 ED (REDUCED) $15 x _____ = $______Div. B [ ] Div. C [ ] SAMPLE TEST PACKET - 2000 ED (REDUCED) $15 x _____ = $______Div. B [ ] Div. C [ ] SAMPLE TEST PACKET - 99 EDITION (REDUCED) $15 x _____ = $______Div. B [ ] Div. C [ ] SAMPLE TEST PACKET - 98 EDITION (REDUCED) $15 x _____ = $______Div. B [ ] Div. C [ ] 15 OR MORE Student Manuals @ $3.75 Each (or $50 for 15) $3.75 x ____ = $______Div. B [ ] Div. C [ ] Less than 15 Student Manuals $6.00 each $6.00 x ____ = $______Div. B [ ] Div. C [ ] Sub-total ______
NO RETURNS AFTER 30 DAY
Add 15% for shipping and handling $______
TOTAL INCLUDED: $______
($25 Bank fee for returned checks)
ALL PURCHASE ORDERS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PAYMENT MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD*5955 LITTLE PINE LANE*ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48306
Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NEWSLETTER – Page 21 Movies: Battery Buggie and Rocks & Minerals
Page 20 – Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD VIDEO TAPES
School districts are eligible to use Eisenhower funds to purchase instructional materials that are used for professional development. NEW - SCIENCE OLYMPIAD FINALS (approx. 35 min.), come feel the excitement of a national finals (see #21). National Science Olympiad Tournament from Boulder, CO-Approx. 40 minutes includes BONUS from GTE’s “Discover The World Of Science” PBS special showing of the Scrambler event with Peter Graves- (see #1 below-reduced!) ______
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD VIDEO TAPE ORDER FORM
Name ______School ______District ______Street Address ______City/State/Zip ______/______/______Phone # (______) ______-______
Tapes are COPYRIGHTED and may not be reproduced. AMOUNT
1. NSO finals, Boulder CO -1989-includes Scrambler BONUS $25 ______2. Elementary Science Olympiad (Grades 3-6 Student Narrated) - 1988 $25 ______3. Elementary Science Olympiad (Grades 3-6) - 1999 $30 ______4. Elementary Science Olympiad FUN DAY (K-3) -1989 $25 ______5. Orienteering Tape-How to use a compass for Get your Bearing $20 ______6. TOWERS FROM 94-98 NAT. FINALS (out for 2001) $30 ______7. WINNING BRIDGES FROM NAT. FINALS (updated 2001) $30 ______8. WINNING BOOMILEVERS FROM NAT. FINALS (updated 2001) $30 ______9. SCIENCE OLYMPIAD DOCUMENTARY-AUBURN, AL-1992 $30 ______10. TRAJECTORY VIDEO (out for 2001) $30 ______11. NSO FINALS INDIANA UNIVERSITY-95 $30 ______12. MISSION POS. FROM 94-98 NAT.FINALS $30 ______13. NSO FINALS GEORGIA TECH-96 $30 ______14. NSO FINALS NORTH CAROLINA STATE-97 $30 ______15. PROPELLER PROPULSION/WRIGHT STUFF (96-98) $30 ______16. BOTTLE ROCKET (95-98) $30 ______17. NSO FINALS GVSU MICHIGAN-98 $30 ______18. NSO FINALS CHICAGO-99 $30 ______19. NSO FINALS WASHINGTON-2000 $30 ______20. BATTERY BUGGY FROM NAT. FINALS (updated 2001) $30 ______21. NEW!-NSO FINALS COLORADO SPRINGS 2001 $35 ______
SUB-TOTAL ______(Add 15% for shipping & handling) ______
TOTAL ______
All Purchase orders must be accompanied by payment. ($25 Bank Fee for returned checks)
Make Checks payable to: Science Olympiad 5955 Little Pine Lane Rochester, MI 48306 Because of contractual arrangements we have with the originators of these tapes, we cannot authorize copying of the tapes. This also helps maintain the quality of the tapes being distributed. We have kept the cost down to preparation, reproduction, handling, and mailing expense, so the tapes are affordable to all schools.
Page 22 – Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
Movies: Dynamic Planet and Chem Lab
Page 22 – Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
QUIZ
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one. 2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners. 3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest. 1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through 4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer school. Prize. 2. Name five people who have taught you something 5. Name the last dozen Academy Award winners for best worthwhile. actor and actress. 3. Think of a few people who have made you feel 6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners. appreciated and special. 4. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. How did you do? 5. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you. The point is, rarely do we remember the headliners of yesterday. These are not second-raters. They are the best in Easier? The lesson? their fields. But the applause died. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones buried with their owners. with the most credentials, the most money or the most awards. They are the ones that care. Movies: Bungie Egg and Nature Quest
Fall, 2001 SCIENCE OLYMPIAD NEWSLETTER – Page 23
DuPont Celebrates 200 Years
DuPont will reach a milestone in 2002 when we recognize our 200th anniversary as a science company and we are delighted to be co-sponsors of the 2002 National Science Olympiad as part of our year long celebration. DuPont began their long, proud tradition of supporting education in 1918 when we addressed the issue of a shortage of chemists and we have remained committed to science and the education of future scientists and engineers. Since that time, we have continued to invest in education and DuPont proudly supports a large number of science, math, environmental and technology initiatives that impact kindergarten through high school, many colleges and universities and a large number of minority programs around the country.
The first Science Olympiad was held in Delaware approximately 25 years ago and DuPont and the University of Delaware are eagerly looking forward to the return of the Tournament to our home state. We believe the National Science Olympiad will be a wonderful addition to our 200th anniversary festivities and we look forward to sharing it with you and your teams!
Science Olympiad 704 S. Bradford Street Dover, DE 19904